ERIN wound up their March tour in Canberra with a special St Patrick’s Day performance at King O’Malley’s Irish Pub. It was a blast! With green hair, green hats, girls Irish-dancing and Guinness flowing, the recipe was complete – and ERIN the icing on the cake, of course! Watch this space, Canberra – we’ll be back…

ERIN had a wonderful time at the stunning country town of Yackandandah and its superbly cosy Folk Festival. Not only were we able to play some priceless intimate gigs to another warm and appreciative audience but we also enjoyed the opportunity to catch some of the fine acts travelling the circuit between Port Fairy and the National Folk Festival held in Canberra over the Easter weekend. If that wasn’t spectacular enough, our digs certainly were at the picturesque home of Mike and Trish (not to mention the stunning food and wardrobe – thanks a million!). Who needs pictures on the walls (or curtains on the windows) with views like this?! (See photos soon to be posted). Some favourite artists included Faerd, The Go Set, Rachel Unthank & The Winterset, Cecile Corbel and of course, The Undesirables from Canada who enjoyed a mountain-top pool party in the hefty Aussie heat!

Thanks also to the Erin fans who travelled so far to show their support and the family and friends who flanked around to cheer us on. Special mention must also go to the fine poetry recitation and of course, to young Jesse for kicking off some creative dancing at the Star Hotel – Riverdance will never be the same…

ERIN took up the opportunity to rest and recoup…with a little more partying for good measure…at Jim’s blissful Enfield bush retreat, some 20 minutes from the heart of Ballarat.

The March Flies may have been on the attack but that didn’t hamper ERIN’s drive to relax, bushwalk, drink, sleep, eat, read, drink, sleep, drink, chat, sleep and play music, after a full-on few days in Port Fairy (comprised of much the same… minus the bushwalking and sleeping). Thanks to Jim, Pat and Arleen, plus Beccy, Tom & Lachie for some priceless moments and golden memories. (Please note the proud parading of our Port Fairy purchases… )

Oh what fun was had at the Port Fairy Folk Folk Festival!! (Check out the photos!). Once the nerves subsided (!) ERIN had 4 well-attended gigs at the festival and sold out of CDs at the in-house sales tent! We had a lot of fun, witnessing a wide range of amazing musicians and inspirations. Special mention – where to start?? Circle of Rhythm, Jake Shimabukuro, Collard Greens & Gravy, Elana James, The Chipolatas, Angie Hart, John Schumann, Hans Theessink, The Duhks and who could forget The Bushwackers on that Guinness-fuelled Sunday night?… It’s of course too hard to mention names; basically anywhere we stumbled, we discovered another piece of musical magic. And in the Green Room, some ERIN members rubbed shoulders with these fine artists themselves…

The weather was warm, the stages were warmer, the surf was perfect, the houseparents (Sandra and Trevor) were amazing (- thank you!!! and sorry about the nail polish…) And the crowd – the patrons – were spectacular!!

Finally, it wouldn’t have been half as much fun without those dedicated devotees who followed us all the way from Maitland – Thank you all so much! See you next year Port Fairy!

Erin will be performing at the Astor Hotel in Goulburn on the 5th of March 2008. The band will be passing through Goulburn on their way to the Port Fairy Folk Festival where they will be performing later that week.

Erin will be performing at the 2008 Port Fairy Folk Festival! The festival will be held on March 7-10 2008 at Port Fairy Victoria. The band will be giving three performances. See below for the times and locations of each of the performances:

Saturday 12.30pm – Stage 5

Saturday 11.00pm – Surf Club

Sunday 2.15pm – Stage 5

Also, don’t miss the celtic jam session at the Surf Club at 6PM Sunday where several of the band members may join the action.
For more information about the Port Fairy Folk Festival visit www.portfairyfolkfestival.com